TYPICAL ITALIAN FOOD: A SMALL / BIG SUMMARY

 

TYPICAL ITALIAN FOOD

We are all clear that one of the amazing pleasures of traveling to Italy is taking part in normal Italian food. But, do the real regular meals of Italy?

As in many countries whose gastronomy is famous and consumed throughout the world, what arrives abroad is not always related to what was originally in the country. Or is it that the Chinese food we eat in Europe has something to do with what you find in China? In the case of Italy, there were also many emigrants, the food was adapted to the tastes of their new countries of residence and it evolved differently. Hence, in the world there are different versions of the "traditional food of Italy", a clear example is those of the United States or Argentina.

ITALIAN FOOD

As for Spain, knowledge of Italian food is quite limited: little more than pasta and pizza, as general concepts, and a small number of recipes that do not usually correspond to the original ones. It is believed that it is a rich, easy meal that everyone, including children, likes, but certainly not sophisticated or elaborate and therefore not highly valued. An opinion quite different from that of the Anglo-Saxon countries. I can say it because I worked in an Italian food company in Spain and I reviewed many market studies, comparing them with those of other countries.

  Although I am not an expert, as an Italian I want to do my bit to publicize what we eat in Italy.

TYPICAL ITALIAN FOOD BY REGION

Ok, outside it is not known what you eat in Italy, but is there a typical Italian cuisine? Yes and no. There are characteristics and culinary customs common to the whole country, but also great territorial differences. Due to the somewhat complex history of the country - until relatively recently, the middle of the 19th century, divided into small states - it is difficult to speak of a typical Italian meal. What we should talk about is typical Italian food, in the plural, by geographical area, region, and even city and town. Similar to what happens in Spain - what does Galician cuisine have to do with Andalusian or Catalan or Canarian cuisine? - but perhaps even more exaggerated, due to the greater density of towns and that historical peculiarity.

ITALIAN FOOD

Precisely because it seemed too complex to talk about typical Italian food in general, I have written about typical food from areas of Italy:

• Typical food of northern Italy ;
• Typical food from central Italy ;
• Typical food of southern Italy.

There I tell how, for example, butter is used more in the north than in the south, where the king is olive oil; that in the center there are cereals such as farro that have been eaten since Roman times; or that fresh pasta has its origin in the north while dry pasta and pizza have it in the south, among other things. And, above all, I review some of the typical dishes of each region of the country. I bet you've never heard of most of them.

ITALIAN FOOD

TYPICAL FOOD OF CITIES IN ITALY

As I was saying, beyond the regions, Italian gastronomy continues to differentiate itself. We have published a few articles about the cuisine of some of the most famous cities in the country.

• Where to eat in Rome (by the way, if you visit the Eternal City we recommend this itinerary: what to see in Rome in 3 days ).
• Eat-in Florence, typical dishes of Tuscan cuisine (if the cradle of the Italian Renaissance is your next destination, we recommend this itinerary: what to see in Florence in 2 days ).
• Eat-in Venice, typical dishes of Venetian cuisine (are you traveling to the city of canals? We recommend this itinerary: what to see in Venice in 3 days).
• Eating in Bologna, good and cheap and, as you are, the best ice cream parlors in Bologna (we also have what to see in Bologna in 3 days ).
• Eat-in Parma, one of the temples of Italian gastronomy (yes, what to see in Parma for you too).
• Eat-in Modena (don't hesitate: what to see in Modena ).
• Eating in Turin, typical dishes of Piedmontese cuisine (could not miss: what to see in Turin).

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  ITALIAN FOOD

  
  
  

• TYPICAL DISHES OF ITALY

• But then, aren't there typical Italian dishes, from all over the country? Of course, yes, there are some who, although they were born in a specific area of ​​Italy or even abroad, is already consumed from north to south. We present some of them separated into starters –antipasti–, first courses - primi -, seconds - second -, side dishes - contorni - and desserts - dolci -. It is not a strict classification: some dishes, such as carpaccio or parmigiana, for example, can be taken as starters or as seconds.

· We also add some of the most consumed pizzas in Italy. No! There is no pepperoni! There is no ingredient in Italy called pepperoni. The pepperoni, with a p, are peppers. There is also no barbecue pizza, no carbonara, or Hawaiian ... We usually add much fewer ingredients to pizzas than the rest of the world - capriccioso is the exception.

STARTERS - ANTIPASTI·       Bresaola, a sausage similar to jerky that is normally eaten with oil, arugula, and parmesan flakes. Vitello tonnato, beef marinated in wine and spices served cold with a tuna-based sauce. Bruschette, a toast of different types, the most common is with fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, and oregano. Caprese, tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad. Insalata di mare, salad with fish and seafood. Crocchette di patate , potato croquettes. Mozzarella in carrozza , breaded mozzarella cheese. Parmigiana di melanzane , fried aubergines, tomato, mozzarella andbaked Parmigiano Reggiano .

ITALIAN FOOD

• FIRST COURSES - PRIMI (NOT JUST PASTA)

·We started with the primi of pulp . Spaghetti with pomodoro e basilico or al sugo di pomodoro , spaghetti with tomato and basil. Pasta al ragù , pasta with tomato sauce and meat, which varies a bit in each region. Tortellini in brodo or with the panna , tortellini with broth or with cream and ham. Ravioli di ricotta e spinaci , ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach served with butter and sage. Gnocchi di patate al sugo or alla sorrentina , potato gnocchi with tomato sauce and meat or with tomato and mozzarella. Lasagne . Spaghetti alla carbonara, with eggs, guanciale - pork face -, Pecorino romano and black pepper. Spaghetti all'amatriciana , with tomato and guanciale. Pesto pasta . Pasta al forno , pasta inside the oven. Pasta fredda , pasta salad. Pasta al tonno , pasta with tuna sauce. Spaghetti aglio, olio e pepperoni , spaghetti with garlic, oil and chilli. Penne al fumè , penne with tomato, cream and bacon. Pennette with salmon and vodka , penne with salmon and vodka. Spaghetti allo scoglio, with tomato, garlic, garlic, parsley, mussels, clams, and sometimes other seafood or fish. Pasta and fagioli, a spoon dish with pasta and black beans.

Other first courses, beyond pasta. Risotto ai Funghi, with mushrooms. Risotto alla milanese , with saffron. Risotto ai Frutti di mare, with fish and seafood. Other types of risotto with vegetables: pumpkins, zucchini, asparagus, artichokes, etc ... Minestrone, vegetable soup. Zuppa di lenticchie, lentils, usually with onion, celery, and carrot.

ITALIAN FOOD

SECOND COURSES - SECOND

Tagliata di manzo with arugula , ribeye served cut with oil, arugula and Parmigiano Reggiano . Carpaccio, raw meat marinated in lemon, served with arugula and parmesan. Grigliata Mista, grilled meat of different types. Scaloppine al Limone, ai Funghi or alla pizzaiola, beef fillet with lemon sauce, mushrooms or tomato, mozzarella, and oregano. Polpette, meatballs. Polpettone, a large cylinder-shaped meatball that is prepared in the oven and served in slices. Roast beef. Cotoletta , breaded fillet. Involtini, meat rolls, usually with ham and cheese.Fritto misto di pesce , fried fish. Orata al forno or al cartoccio , baked golden. Salmone al forno, baked salmon. Cozze gratinates, mussels gratin. Calamari ripieni, stuffed squid.

ITALIAN FOOD

COMPANIONS - CONTENT

Patate al forno , roast potatoes. Purè di patate , the mashed potatoes in Italy carries Parmigiano Reggiano. Sformato di patate , baked potatoes with ham, mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano . Pomodori ripieni , stuffed tomatoes. Piselli e prosciutto , peas and ham. Carciofi alla romana , artichokes. Zucchine trifolate or funghi trifolati , zucchini or mushrooms sautéed with oil, garlic and parsley. Cavolfiori gratinati , cauliflower gratin with béchamel sauce and cheese. Involtini di melanzane , aubergine rolls with tomato, mozzarella, ham and Parmigiano 

ITALIAN FOOD

PIZZAS

Pizza margherita : tomato, mozzarella and basil. Marinara : tomato, garlic, oregano and oil. Capricciosa : tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, canned artichokes, cooked ham, black olives and sometimes eggs. Quattro stagioni : ingredients similar to capricciosa, but divided into four quadrants (one per station, with the ingredients for each one). Boscaiola : mozzarella, mushrooms and Italian sausage. Diavola : tomato, mozzarella, spicy salami and chilli. Quattro formaggi : mozzarella or provolone, Parmigiano Reggiano , gorgonzola and fontina. Bufalina : margherita with buffalo mozzarella. Prosciutto e funghi: ham and mushrooms. Tonno e cipolla : tuna and onion. Ortolana or vegetarian : with vegetables.

Reggiano. Baked or grilled vegetables.

ITALIAN FOOD

DESSERTS - DOLCI

Tiramisù. Panna cotta. Zuppa Inglese, made with sponge cake and cream. Torta de la nonna, cake with pastry cream and pine nuts. Crostata, tart made with shortcrust dough - frolla in Italian - and jam, pastry cream, or chocolate. Sorbetto al limone , lemon sorbet. Semifreddi, frozen cakes of different types, with fruit, chocolate, coffee, nougat, tiramisù, etc. Budino, pudding. Tortino al cioccolato , chocolate coulant.

ITALIAN FOOD

TYPICAL INGREDIENTS OF ITALIAN CUISINE

We have also dedicated specific articles to two of the most typical ingredients of Italian cuisine: balsamic vinegar of Modena and Parmigiano Reggiano. But, as you are still on a travel blog, we also talked about their places of origin and how to include visits in a getaway to Italy.

THE WORLD OF ITALIAN COFFEE: TYPES OF COFFEE IN ITALY

A world apart in Italy is that of coffee. How many kinds of espresso are there in Italy? When are they consumed and when are they not? Can I order a coffee with milk after eating? How to order an iced coffee? We have also dedicated an article to this: Types of coffee in Italy: espresso, cappuccino, and more ...

TYPES OF RESTAURANTS AND MENUS

What is the difference between a trattoria and an osteria? Is there always pizza in Italian restaurants? How is a typical Italian meal divided? What is considered first / second there are also in other countries? The answers in Eating in Italy: types of restaurants and menu.

ITALIAN CUSTOMS ON THE TABLE

The customs that are in Italy at the table are, in some cases, different from those of other countries. I have tried to collect these peculiarities in a deliberately ironic article in which I tell what never to do in Italy in a restaurant.